Periodic drug testing

Periodic testing tends to be a simple program to manage and can help minimize employee drug use.

Periodic drug testing is scheduled and is typically performed on current employees at consistent time periods throughout the year. Many companies choose to perform annual periodic testing – especially if employees are required to undergo an annual physical. Since periodic testing is a scheduled, announced test, it can present a drawback in that employees who do use drugs are sometimes able to cease their drug use or otherwise take measures to undermine the integrity of their drug test results. Periodic testing is not a part of the DOT’s 49 CFR Part 40 Rules and within the federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workforce is associated with U.S. Coast Guard testing requirements.

Periodic testing tends to be a simple program to manage, as it runs a low risk of bias and requires no special training since all employees are equally subjected to testing. When used in combination with other reasons for testing, or as alluded to earlier, in combination with other employee screening programs, like physical exams, periodic testing can help minimize employee drug use.

Drug testing can help to improve employee morale and productivity while decreasing absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover, and theft. Because every business and workforce is unique, every employer should make a careful determination about the drug testing program elements that are most beneficial for their workplace.